Studies of Auxetic Structures Assembled from Rotating Rectangles

Materials (Basel). 2024 Feb 3;17(3):731. doi: 10.3390/ma17030731.

Abstract

The subject of the work is analysis, which presents a renowned auxetic structure based on so-called rotating polygons, which has been subject to modification. This modification entails introducing pivot points on unit cell surfaces near rectangle corners. This innovative system reveals previously unexplored correlations between Poisson's ratio, the ratio of rectangle side lengths, pivot point placement, and structural opening. Formulas have been derived using geometric relationships to compute the structure's linear dimensions and Poisson's ratio. The obtained findings suggest that Poisson's ratio is intricately tied to the structure's opening degree, varying as the structure undergoes stretching. Notably, there are critical parameter limits beyond which Poisson's ratio turns positive, leading to the loss of auxetic properties. For elongated rectangles, extremely high negative Poisson's ratio values are obtained, but only for small opening angles, while with further stretching, the structure loses its auxetic properties. This observed trend is consistent across a broad category of structures comprised of rotating rectangles.

Keywords: Poisson’s ratio; auxetics; expansion; rotating units cells.

Grants and funding

The present paper was financed in part by the Polish Ministry of Education and Science within the statutory activity.